DDR as an AF augmentation mission

[RiverAux]

In another thread, John Bryan very rightly pointed out that Drug Demand Reduction is actually a sort of Air Force augmentation mission as it is supposed to not only target CAP cadets, but AF and Air National Guard families and children.  I had never really thought of it this way, but he is right. 

Is DDR treated in this way in your Wing?  Are your DDR officers really getting active outside our own people?  Are we going on bases with this program? 

Or, is it mostly seen as a way to get neat free stuff for your unit? 

Personally, I've never really looked very closely at what they're supposed to be doing, but the DDR regulation was surprisingly more specific in its goals than any other CAP regulation I've seen.  However, even after giving it a quick review, it does seem pretty fuzzy and I have a hard time wrapping my head around exactly what I would do if I was a DDR officer.

DDR Regulation: http://level2.cap.gov/documents/R051_001.pdf

Moderators -- I put it in this section rather than cadet programs since I'm asking primarily about the conduct of the program outside of CAP. 

[Tim Medeiros]

Unfortunately in FLWG its been used recently as a way to get "goodies".  My goal for the DDR Program in the wing is for us to go out into the communities and educate, I have plans to meet with the local national guard to assist them with their DDR presentations as well as seeing what we can do for Patrick and MacDill AFBs (primarily those two as wing already has an open door with them and they are close to my house) which will hopefully be later expanded.

I would like to see other members of the wing give their opinion of the program, it would show me exactly how much training is needed throughout the wing.

In regards to the duties of the DDRO, I'll see if I can do a quick write up after school.

As for having this thread in the lobby, it still is appropriate as DDR isn't just about the cadets, its about the adults as well.

A small note, the budget process has changed since that regulation was published, and the regulation is currently under revision.

[mikeylikey]

Unfortunately in FLWG its been used recently as a way to get "goodies". 

Unfortunately In PAWG it is the same!  They give out the junk to CAP cadets for attending wing activities, none of the material ever makes it to the AF bases, or Airshows, or recruiting events. 

I suspect it is like that everywhere.  I would love to see the program cut from the budget!  At the very least, stop buying/ paying for materials no one needs (mousepads, mugs, rulers etc.)

[John Bryan]

I would like to see the program moved from Cadet Programs to Health Services. In the Air Force it is a function of the Air Force Surgeon General. I wish our Chief of Health Services and all our Medical , Nurse, and Health Services Officers would get on board.

I would like to see it be the AF mission it could be......We can help our members, AF members, and their families. Drugs are killing people and this is another mission we can SAVE LIVES.

I have never understood why our operations folks don't get into this mission. We do a great job in the war of drugs as far as SUPPLY (CN) butfall short on DEMAND (DDR).

I fear it is because the AF asked us to do a mission which is not that "cool" and "fun" or whatever. I fear this new VSAF will end up the same way

[RiverAux]

Well, actually DDR is a free-standing position at the Wing and Group levels and for some reason doesn't even show up in the organizational charts in 20-1 at the squadron level.  That is sort of a problem right there. 

[RiverAux]

Incidentally, I do agree that it might not be a bad idea to assign this to our medical officers.  It would actually give them something useful to do for the organization to justify their advanced ranks.